Obituary: Nels Kenneth ‘Ken’ Bernander

Nels Kenneth “Ken” Bernander, 93, of Oak Ridge, passed away on Saturday, February 3, at Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center.

He was born to parents Rudolf and Roberta Bernander on December 17, 1921, in Money, Mississippi.

Ken graduated from Mississippi State University in 1942, receiving his degree in chemical engineering. He worked at the Y-12 Facility from 1944-1985, holding various positions. From 1968-1985, he was division superintendent over Product Certification.

After his retirement, he served as a consultant with Martin Marietta.

He was proud of the work done in Oak Ridge and spent many hours telling the history of Oak Ridge from his experiences to the Center for Oak Ridge Oral Histories, COROH. He enjoyed woodworking and gardening.

Ken was preceded in death by son, Jay Nels Bernander; sister, Dorothy Sue Bernander; and stepson, Donald Horace “Butch” Woullard Jr.

His survivors include wife of 38 years, Dorothy McGaha Bernander of Oak Ridge; son, David (Joy) Bernander of Franklin, Tennessee; stepdaughters, Sherry (Jeff) McGhee of Woodstock, Georgia, and Karen (Jerry) Farner of Maryville; grandchildren, Andie (Kevin) Page of Birmingham, Alabama, Robert Bernander of Franklin, Heather McGhee of Charleston, South Carolina, Jeffrey (Emily) McGhee of Atlanta, Georgia, Jared (Amanda) Farner of Maryville, and Sarah (Jason) Rump of Knoxville; and great-grandchildren Isla Farner and Lydia Rump.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

The family will receive friends at Weatherford Mortuary on Friday, February 6, from 6 to 7 p.m. with a celebration of life beginning at 7 p.m. Pastor Tommy Roberts will be officiating. The graveside service will be held at Oak Ridge Memorial Park on Saturday, February 7, at 9 a.m.

An online guest book may be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.